The inflammatory cytokines in measles: Correlation between serum interferon-γ levels and lymphocyte subpopulations

Abstract

Abstract. , tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) and interferon gamma (IFN-7) were measured in serum from children with measles using an immunoradiometric assay. The IFN-7 level was increased in 52 out of 54 patients in the acute phase of measles (< 7 days of illness), and then declined to an undetectable level in the convalescent phase. Neither IL-1 nor TNF could be detected during the course of the illness. The mean serum IFN-7 level was at its peak on day 4 and could be detected over a 7-day period after the onset of fever, coinciding with the febrile period (6.9 + 1.5 days). In the acute phase, the phytohaemagglutinin responses, absolute number of platelets, total lymphocyte counts, CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 + cell counts and the CD4/8 ratio were depressed, while stab cell number and lactate dehydrogenase levels were higher than those in the convalescent phase. Using Spearman rank sum test, the IFN-7 level was correlated negatively with the peripheral lymphocyte (P<0.01), CD3 + (P<0.05), CD4 + (P< 0.05) cell counts and the CD4/8 ratio (P < 0.05) and correlated positively with the stab cell count (P < 0.01) but not with any other parameter. When the acute phase findings were compared between 28 complicated and 40 uncomplicated patients, the former were younger (P < 0.01) and had higher maximum body temperature during the illness (P < 0.05) than the latter, there was no difference in their IFN-7 levels. These results show that endogenous IFN-7 appears in the circulation during the acute febrile phase of measles, but does not contribute directly to any complication of the disease.

Wild-Type Measles Virus with the Hemagglutinin Protein of the Edmonston Vaccine Strain Retains Wild-Type Tropism in Macaques

“…Interestingly, Th1-type cytokines (IFN-␥ and IL-2) were induced in all monkeys irrespective of the IL-12 level. The induction of IFN-␥ in plasma at early time points is consistent with that in previous studies of human measles (10,19,24,41). A previous study showed no significant induction of IL-2, IL-12, and IFN-␥ in monkeys infected with wild-type MV (4).…”

Anticytokine Therapy, Especially Anti-Interferon-γ, as a Pathogenetic Treatment in TH-1 Autoimmune Diseases

“…IFN‐γ has been found to be elevated in measles, rubella, and parvovirus infection79 and in PBMCs of infected autologous or allogenic mumps virus‐infected target cells 80. Also, IFN‐γ levels in the serum are increased in patients in the acute phase of measles 81. Mumps virus, a virus often associated with type 1 diabetes, also brings autoimmune complications, such as orchitis.…”

Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of interleukin-1 beta, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, and interferon gamma in bacterial meningitis.

“…" Sensitive immunoassays have shown appreciable concentrations of these cytokines in serum/plasma or effusions from the patients with some reactive or neoplastic disorders. [5][6][7][8][9] Recent reports indicate that IL-13, TNF-ot, platelet activating factor, IFN--y, and IL-6 are increased in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with meningitis,1013 however, their clinical and biological roles are not fully elucidated.…”